The architect has been appointed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to develop proposals on how to improve the central College Bank and Lower Falinge areas for residents and businesses alike. Over the next three months, RBH and Levitt Bernstein will work with communities to develop options for development.

In recent years, Falinge has been named several times as being among the most deprived communities in England by the Office for National Statistics. RBH has existing plans in place and has delivered small scale projects including the 2015 delivery of 26 houses on the site of two former blocks of flats and a disused pub, while planning permission has recently been granted for the delivery of a further 19 homes and a sports court.

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of RBH, said: “There is major investment and regeneration now underway in Rochdale town centre and investing in the homes is a key part of this.

“We want to provide better quality homes and a better quality of life for current and future residents of College Bank and Lower Falinge and every decision will be made in consultation with the local community and with that goal in mind.”

Levitt Bernstein, which has offices in London and Manchester,will bring to the project experience in urban design gathered from projects in Southwark, Barking and Hackney.

It is also currently working with Allied London on London Road Fire Station in Manchester, and has also redesigned Castlefield House within that developer’s St John’s project. The practice is also the architect for an extra care living scheme in Preston being delivered by Community Gateway Association.